Hello and thanks to everyone.
Before I posted this request, I did a search for guides but was unable to find them. I know I have read the names and contact information for guides for Arenal and Manuel Antonio but I cannot find them now.
Please give me your recommendations for guides to show my family of four (2 teenagers - 1 boy, 17; 1 girl, 15) the sites in these two locations.
Thanks in advance,
Catalina

ttt, please

I don't think you really need a guide in either of these locations. They are both very "tourist friendly" locations," which means signs in English, lots of help from English-speaking hotel staff, etc. If you decide you want a guide for any specific activity, your hotel can arrange one on the spot.

Thank you.
Anyone else have any experience/thoughts about this?
Catalina

Okay, fodorites, it's now the weekend! Comments, please. Thank you.

Your hotel can set up tours to MA Park & around Arenal. MA is very tourist friendly, I had no problem getting around & doing many different things, a guide would be redundant IMO.

Tully - So you agree with Barbarian. Well, that's good enough for me.
Thanks to both of you.
Catalina

hI there, If your hotel books the guide you will pay more money than if you go to the park itself. There is a guide station right at the entrance. We booked a guide through the hotel and it probably cost us an additional $50. Also if you are specifically interested in something let them know because some guides are better with birds than plants, etc. Actually when our guide would spot something he always showed it to whoever was walking by. If we went again I do not think we would spend the money for a guide.